TRIBUTES POUR IN TO TAXI DRIVER KILLED IN A13 CRASH

Friends and family members have paid tribute to a taxi driver and father-of-two who tragically died in a crash on the A13 that also claimed the life of a pensioner.

The crash happened at around 1.45am in the early hours of New Year's Eve and closed the road in Dagenham for several hours.

According to reports from the Metropolitan Police, the car, which was driven by a woman in her 70s, was being driven in the wrong direction on the A13 carriageway.

Victim named

It is believed the two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision.

Several ambulance teams rushed to the scene, as well as officers from Met Police and fire crews from London Fire Brigade but sadly both died following the incident.

The man has since been named by media in North Cyprus as Ru?it Atao?lu, aged 40, who is believed to have been a relation of Fikri Atao?lu, Minister of Tourism and Environment for the Northern Cypriot government.

Companies House lists him as a former director of Mister Taxi Limited, based in Bethnal Green, East London, however some reports on social media have suggested that he was not actually working as a taxi driver at the time of the crash. Instead, it is believed he was working as a mechanic for a garage.

Tributes pour in

His mother-in-law has taken to social media to share a video of Ru?it and described his wife and two children as "heartbroken".

Another family member said: "May God give you the blessing of your place, my nephew."

A friend of the 40-year-old posted a photo of him on Facebook saying: "My dear friend from the village of Avtepe, Rusit Atao?lu has passed away.

"My condolences to the family and fans of the deceased from God.

"May God have mercy on him. May he rest in peace."

A Just Giving page is set up

A Just Giving page has since been set up to help raise money for Ru?it's grieving family.

The page reads: "This is for a man who sadly lost his life in a tragic road accident at 1.45am on New Year's Eve.

"Although the man was not a black cab driver, he has been in the industry for many years and has worked with many cab drivers in many garages.

"The tragic death has devastated the family. His wife and two young children are distraught. The kind messages and condolences have been heart warming.

"Many people and cab drivers have suggested raising money for the family at this sad time therefore we thought it would be a good idea to create this crowdfunding page. Thank you all in advance."

However as the funds poured in, the target was raised from £1,000 to £5,000.

"Words cannot describe how overwhelmed we are all feeling at this sad time. When I set this page up I really didn't know how much I should set the fundraising target to, so went along with the suggested amount of £1,000," the page's organiser added.

"Your generous donations have been absolutely mindblowing.

"At the request of Save Taxi's, Sherbet cabs and other major fleets, I have been asked to raise the fundraising amount to £5,000. I honestly cannot thank you all enough. You are all amazing.

"This money will help the family so much. Thank you all so much, be lucky boys and girls and be safe. God bless you and all of your loved ones too."

The total now stands at almost £1,200 as friends and cabbies pay tribute to victim.

One person wrote: "Sorry to hear about the tragic loss of Rusit. My heart goes out to his family and all this who mourn him," while another said: "What a tragic accident and at that time of year too. Hope the donations go towards making this families grief a little easier to deal with."

A London cabbie also wrote: "I’m a London taxi driver of 26 years. I’m so sorry to hear of you and your families tragic loss."

Cabbies unite to share condolences

Several taxi drivers took to social media to share their condolences for the male fatality, believed to be a London black cab driver.

Many of those who did tweet responding to the sad news were cab drivers themselves.

User @LDNCabbie said: "RIP thoughts are with the families involved," whilst @Robsblackcab wrote: "Terrible. Could have been any of us. My way home every day."

One tweet, from @AndyCabby10, said: "Shocking. So sad. Came home on that stretch of road a couple of hours earlier as, I'd imagine, many other Cabbies did....tragic."

"Dear God just seen the aftermath of horrific crash with London Taxi involved on the A13 eastbound just after Dagenham turn off. Feel sick pray all ok," said one witness.

Michael Glassman, owner of nearby taxi garage Colts Cabs tweeted: “Sad to hear of the fatality on the A13 whether it be a driver or any person. It now turns out to be a taxi proprietor round the back of Three Colts Lane... RIP brother.”